Florida was unable to overcome a slow start in their SEC opener as Alabama defeated the Gators 79-69 Thursday. Florida fell to 9-6 overall on the season.
The Gators were led by freshman Liv McGill for the eighth time this season with 18 points while senior Ra Shaya Kyle recorded her ninth double-double of the year with 11 points and 13 rebounds.
Florida got down early and were unable to climb all the way back. Alabama had 7-0 and 19-5 leads and the Gators never got closer than six points midway through the second quarter. By halftime the Crimson Tide commanded a ten-point advantage.
Alabama extended their lead throughout the third quarter, leading by as many as 20 with 3:45 left in the period before ending the period up by sixteen. Florida didn’t let up in the fourth, cutting the deficit to single digits at 74-65 with 3:40 remaining.
The Gators shot 46% from the field and outrebounded the Tide 35-32. Florida also connected on 50% from three-point range.
The Gators return home for their conference home opener against Georgia on Sunday. UGA is 8-7 on the season and dropped their conference opener against Vanderbilt, 108-82. The game is scheduled for 12:00 PM Sunday afternoon from Exactech Arena.
ChompTalk.com 
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